PROPERTY owners in Wirral are being encouraged to rent out their homes and land to golfing celebrities from across the world.

An estate agent in Hoylake has started to compile a list of prospective houses which are suitable to accommodate the golfers, their caddies and sponsors when the Open arrives on the peninsula.

Chartered surveyor Christian Saverimutto claims residents living in some of Wirral's most up-market properties could earn as much as £50,000 by renting out their home for a fortnight.

Home owners in other areas living in a small semi could hope to attract up to £500 a week.

Mr Saverimutto, from Michael L Green estate agents in Hoylake, which is co-ordinating property rentals for the Open, said: "We are confident we will be able to attract figures in the region of £50,000 for a two-week rental, possibly even higher."

The properties are being divided into five categories, ranging from group A homes, which would include a five to six bedroom detached house, over-looking the golf course, complete with modern fittings, a garden, spa bath, conservatory and possibly a swimming pool.

Group B homes will be of the same calibre but not as close to the course. These properties are likely to be in Heswall, Parkgate and Meols.

Mr Saverimutto added: "We are looking at properties across Wirral. Location, size and modern fittings are the key factors.

"But just because someone lives in a small semi-detached house which may be several miles from the Royal Liverpool Golf Club does not mean they cannot be considered.

"We are looking at all properties, from large detached houses to flats."

Michael L Green Estate Agents is working closely with Birkenhead-based Savi International which will match the celebrities to the houses.

Representatives from Savi International, a sports marketing and management company, are speaking to American and Japanese clients who are likely to travel to Wirral for the Open.

Mr Saverimutto said: "It could be that we rent out a house to one client and the garden will be let to another client.

"Gardens close to the course could be used as vantage spots and also to accommodate corporate tents and boxes."

Properties in Stanley Road and Meols Parade in Hoylake are likely to be the most sought after because of their close proximity to the course and as a result will attract the highest prices.

Tourism bosses believe around 25,000 people will require accommodation during the practice rounds prior to the Open as well as during the four day event.

Around 2,000 of these people are likely to be from press and media organisations across the world.

There are around 5,500 bedrooms in hotels in Wirral, Chester and Liverpool.

Mr Saverimutto said: "There is a massive under supply of accommodation and this is why houses will be in such big demand.

"Golfers will not be wanting to stay in Liverpool and then travel to Wirral.

"They will want to stay close to the course with their families and caddies in plush accommodation. Most will probably want to be within walking distance of the golf course." When the Open was held in Southport in 1998 more than 200 houses were let to golfers, their caddies and sponsors.

Bruce Jones, a partner at Venmore Thomas and Jones estate agents, which acted as agent for the Royal and Ancient when the Open was held at Royal Birkdale, said: "We found that people who were not interested in golf chose to go away when the Open was staged and others went to stay with relatives allowing their homes to be used by the golfers.

"There is also a certain amount of kudos for some people who enjoy the idea of allowing their home to be used by a golfing celebrity.

"From the golfer's point of view, many of them arrive with their families and prefer to stay in a house rather than a hotel."

It was revealed in February that the Golf Open will return to the Peninsula for the first time since 1967.

Although a date has not been set for the competition, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St Andrew's in Scotland - the organisers of the event - has confirmed it will be in the " foreseeable future".

The first time it could return to Wirral is 2006.

On the last occasion the Open was played in Hoylake, Argentinian Roberto de Vicenzo won his only major title.

Since then the demands of the Open in terms of infrastructure, space and traffic have ruled Royal Liverpool out as a venue.